Base City:

Difficulty:

Starting Point:

Stok

Ending Point:

Stok

Average Duration:

2 to 5 days

Route Finding:

Moderate

Equipment Required:

head lamp (for early morning start), crampons can help (one time I climbed with them the other time without, ironically the time I didn't use them was when there was the most snow), a trekking pole or walking stick is a must but an ice axe is not necessary however if you've got one I guess you could bring it, sleeping bag, tent (there is a tea tent at base camp and you may be able to sleep in the tent but I haven't tried this), food for at least 2 days

Permits:

IMF permit which costs 2000 INR and which you can get from the IMF next to the garden restaurant at the start of Chanspa Road in Leh.

Blog Entries & Image Galleries:

Trek Overview

This is the most climbed 6000 m peak in Ladakh at 6153 m (20,180 ft). The view from the top, weather permitting of course, is spectacular. While all the trekking agencies do this as a four day trek if you are already acclimatized it can be done in 2 days one night from Leh. I would highly recommend doing an acclimatization trek before then doing Stok Kangri. It is best to do a trek where you will sleep very high, close to or above 5000 m. The Markha Valley is good trek for this as you can stay at Nimaling which is 4800 m (and you don't even need your own tent) even better would be to stay for two nights there and do a high day hike during the day. Another good hike would be the Rumtse to Tso Morrri but make sure you've spent some time in Ladakh, at least 4 days, before doing that one due to the high altitude from the start . Acclimatization is critical to successfully completing this climb. Make sure you are well acclimatized and familier with the symptoms of AMS. See ismm.org for a good review of symptoms and treatment of AMS.

Its a 5-6 hour hike from Stok to Base Camp, go left at the first tea tent right up the valley at the third tea tent. Base camp is on the south side of a ridge that separates it from Stok Kangri, you have to climb this ridge to the north to start your ascent then head west until you cross the glacier and head north up towards the summit. You will need and IMF permit which costs 2000 INR and which you can get from the IMF next to the garden restaurant at the start of Chanspa Road in Leh. It will be checked at Stok and the last two tea tents you pass and base camp. It costs 100 INR per tent to camp at Base Camp. It takes between 4-8 hours from the base camp to the summit, figure half your time up for the way down. People usually start between 12 am and 1:30 am for the summit, so that the snow is more firm for the climb. Its 4 hours back down to Stok and there is a bus to Leh at 6:00 pm.

Do It Yourself Information

The tricky part is figuring out when to cross the glacier, walk down the left side of the glacier that descends from the mountain to the south of Stok Kangri until you see a large slope descending from the peak of Stok Kangri opposite you then cross the glacier and head up the slope. As it gets steeper make your way over to the southern ridge and follow the ridge to the summit. More than likely there will be several guided groups going up at the same time so you can always follow them if you don't feel confident.

There is a well stocked tea tent where you could buy food at the base camp, its probably best not rely on this completely but you can supplement your food and you may also be able to stay overnight in the tent if you are doing it on the ultra light.